How to Relieve Mittelschmerz

Here’s a word you can use for female stuff that won’t clear every man from the room—mittelschmerz. That’s because only the ladies will recognize this special term for mid-cycle menstrual cramps. From the German, meaning literally middle pain, it’s the one-sided, sharp or cramping pain that can switch from side to side, month to month, during ovulation. If you experience this kind of pain you’re not alone. About 20 percent of women can commiserate. There are several possible medical explanations for mittelschmerz, but to summarize—it’s either your egg making its regular mid-term break from the factory or the fluid this releases that’s causing swelling and irritation. Take comfort, however, that this pain is not harmful nor an indication of underlying disease. And the good news? If you’re trying to get pregnant (or trying NOT to), think of the advantage you have over your sisters who don’t get mittelschmerz. You always know when you’re ovulating!

Things You'll Need

• Monthly calendar
• heating pad or hot bath
• over the counter pain reliever

Instructions

Awwwwwh...Mittelschmerz Hertz

1. Establish that it's really mid-cycle pain. Mark on your calendar for 2-3 consecutive months the start date of your period AND the start date of your pain. If the pain occurs approximately 14 days from the start of your monthly cycle, you've got mittelschmerz.

2. Try these methods for relief: Heat relaxes the irritated muscles surrounding the pain. So if your schedule allows, try a hot soothing bath. If you're more pressed for time, use a heating pad instead.

3. Kick it up a notch if the heat treatment doesn't help. Get an over-the-counter pain relievers. If one doesn't work, move on to the next one. For example, some may respond better to acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) than aspirin; others may find ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) works, still others may prefer naproxen (Aleve).

4. Resort to birth control, if all else fails. Talk to your doctor. A mild birth control pill may head your pain off at the pass. Since ovulation is the cause of mittelschmerz, getting rid of your monthly cycle altogether will also remove ovulation as a monthly pain. But before going this route, read the fine print. Beware that the possible side effects of extended use birth control pills do not outweigh your relatively short-lived pain. Keep in mind, that you need to ovulate in order to get pregnant.

Tips & Warnings

• If your pain is persistent and severe, see your doctor right away. This may be an indication of something more serious than mittelschmerz that requires immediate medical intervention.